Cybersecurity Bootcamps Baltimore, MD

Cybersecurity encompasses all work and careers related to securing computer systems, including protecting computer systems from theft, damage, or unauthorized information disclosure that can prove harmful. Cybersecurity goes further than just locking down laptops and on-premise server rooms. Cloud computing is not immune to attacks, either. Businesses now share their team documents on cloud software such as Google Docs, often without thinking about the ramifications.

The need for a strong and secure technological infrastructure is great among public and private entities. The Wall Street Journal reports a significant cybersecurity breach/hacker attack every thirty-nine seconds, and the United States FBI reported a 300% increase in reported cybercrimes in the past year. Because of this increase, jobs in cybersecurity are expected to grow by 31% by 2029, which is significantly faster than average. In addition, these jobs offer six-figure salaries that can be readily attained with training.

Cybersecurity bootcamps offer optimal training opportunities that prepare professionals to work in engineering, analytics, or other areas of cybersecurity. Bootcamps also prepare you for certification so that you can gain access to more cybersecurity career opportunities in Atlanta. In a city like Atlanta where cybersecurity jobs are plentiful, signing up for a cybersecurity bootcamp can be the path to a lucrative new career.

What Can You Do with Cybersecurity?

Learning cybersecurity can lead to many exciting career paths, which will be discussed in more detail later in this article. Generally speaking, once you’ve mastered cybersecurity, you can plan and implement security measures to prevent data breaches and keep data safe; design security structures to prevent malware attacks and perform vulnerability tests; manage an organization's cybersecurity needs, including developing security systems and overseeing digital forensic investigations; and assess cybersecurity risks and problems for organizations and help them protect their data and physical capital.

Your cybersecurity skills can be put to use in a variety of industries, too. According to one study, only 4% of organizations feel confident their “users of connected devices and related technologies are protected against cyberattacks.” With a reported 5.4 billion malware attacks globally in 2022, it’s no wonder so many organizations are worried about the security of their networks and systems. As a cybersecurity professional, you can help major corporations, school systems, or non-profit organizations ensure that their information remains private and their networks remain impervious to cyberattacks.

What Will I Learn in a Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

A quality cybersecurity bootcamp will teach you how to protect computer operating systems, networks, and data from cyber attacks. The security of any organization starts with three principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability, commonly referred to as the CIA Triad. Most programs will cover these principles (listed below), as they are fundamental to the field of cybersecurity.

• Confidentiality: The principles of confidentiality assert that only authorized parties can access sensitive information and functions.
• Integrity: The principles of integrity assert that only authorized people and means can alter, add, or remove sensitive information and functions. Example: a user entering incorrect data into the database.
• Availability: The principles of availability assert that systems, functions, and data must be available on-demand according to agreed-upon parameters based on levels of service.

In addition to these principles, there are several topics that are typically covered in quality cybersecurity training. A few of these are outlined below.

Knowledge of Operating Systems and Virtual Machines

Strong knowledge of operating environments such as Windows, Linux, and Mac OS are a key part of being a successful cybersecurity professional. You should be comfortable working on any operating system (OS) so you can accommodate any company’s needs.

Similarly, an understanding of virtual machines (VMs) is essential as well. VMs allow you to train and research in an isolated environment and help you maximize your skills by testing apps and software, experimenting with new tools, and testing cross-platform software.

Network Security Control

Network security controls are tools that protect the confidentiality and integrity of network devices. Two ways to reduce the risk of attacks and breaches are below:

• Using multiple control layers: Known as defense in depth, this ensures that the system has active defensive measures. If one layer fails, another can take control.
• Implementing strategies: Using security solutions to implement strategies suggested by cybersecurity officials.

Basically, you need to know You need to know how your network works, how routers, firewalls, and other devices work. Additionally, you’ll need knowledge of Intrusion detection systems, Intrusion Prevention Systems, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), and remote access.

Coding

Your job prospects and career outlook will be limited if you don’t have a firm grasp of coding. Starting with low-level programming languages like C and C++ can be helpful, but you’ll also want some mastery of languages like Python, JavaScript, PHP, HTML, Go lang, SQL, and Assembly Language. Having an understanding of these can help you fight against attackers that use these languages to hack or breach your network’s firewalls and security settings.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

A skilled cybersecurity professional uses technologies like machine learning (ML) and neural networks to help protect digital systems from cyber threats. AI can be used to analyze data, learn from experience, reduce human error, improve threat detection, enhance user experience, and create cybersecurity reports.

Most cybersecurity training courses will cover how AI can be leveraged within the field of cybersecurity, offering you a foundational understanding that can be applied to your first cybersecurity position.

Networking and System Administration

Network and system administration is a field that involves maintaining and operating an organization's computer networks and system. This can include installing, configuring, and maintaining hardware and software; ensuring systems are operating correctly; maintaining network security; evaluating and optimizing network performance; adding users to a network and assigning security permissions; training users on the organization's network and systems; diagnosing and resolving problems; performing database backups; and analyzing network and server resource consumption. This skill set is considered essential and foundational for working in cybersecurity.

How Hard is It to Learn Cybersecurity?

It’s no secret that learning cybersecurity can be challenging. The field requires a robust amount of knowledge in programming and coding, as well as problem-solving skills and technological expertise. While learning cybersecurity has its challenges, there is good news: With the right amount of dedication and passion, anyone can become an expert in cybersecurity. A top-quality professional training can help ensure you learn everything you need to know with as little difficulty as possible.

What Are the Most Challenging Parts of Learning Cybersecurity Bootcamp?

There are a few common challenges that you may encounter in any cybersecurity course, which are outlined below:

• Information overload:  Cybersecurity is a broad field that covers many different topics, including offensive security, governance frameworks, and business alignment. When you’re first getting started, the amount of information you need to learn can seem overwhelming. A quality course will break down your topics into easily digestible lessons, allowing you to master one task or concept at a time.
• Deciding on a specialization:  Some students prefer to choose a specialization prior to choosing a course, as it can help them to decide which course is best. Others may prefer to attend a more generalized course and make that decision once they have a better understanding of cybersecurity. Either way, deciding on a specialization can be tricky for some. There are many different career paths in cybersecurity, including penetration testing, audit and compliance, and malware analysis.
• Staying current: The field of cybersecurity is always evolving. As cyberterrorists create new ways to infiltrate networks and systems, businesses must develop new methods of defense. Becoming a cybersecurity expert means you’ll be committing to ongoing learning to ensure you remain relevant in your field.
• Technical acumen: It may seem obvious, but cybersecurity is a highly technical field. Knowledge of coding, scripting, and programming languages is a must. If you’re a left-brained individual, adapting to this technical field may not be that difficult. But, if you’re less technically inclined, you may experience a challenging learning curve.

How Long Does It Take to Learn Cybersecurity?

For those that go the traditional route, a degree in cybersecurity takes a minimum of four years. Luckily, professional training courses allow you to learn the skills you need to begin your cybersecurity career in substantially less time. The length of these courses can vary widely and depend on many factors. Most notably, the length of time it will take you to learn cybersecurity depends on whether you attend a full-time or part-time course. Generally speaking, it can take around six months to one year, but some courses can be as short as twelve weeks.

Should I Learn Cybersecurity in Person or Online?

When choosing the right cybersecurity bootcamp for you, it can be helpful to consider a course’s price, duration, format, and career support options. Cybersecurity courses in Atlanta can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, so it’s important to be mindful of course cost, payment options, and available financial aid. Many schools that offer bootcamps provide financing options such as payment plans and loans.

For in-person courses, you’ll want to consider things like class times, your commute, parking, and the limits of your current schedule. While in-person courses offer many benefits, they lack flexibility when it comes to where and when you attend class. Part-time courses are a great way to fit in-person learning around your current work schedule. Alternatively, full-time bootcamps are a great way to master cybersecurity quickly while in between jobs, as a recent graduate, or while on leave from work. In-person classes also provide an additional layer of accountability as you’ll be expected to be present and your absence will be noticed. This accountability can be a source of motivation for many learners.

Those who prefer virtual courses may consider enrolling in a live online bootcamp through Noble Desktop or many other online learning platforms. Noble’s courses range in length depending on the specific bootcamp and format. Individuals can enroll in part-time or full-time courses, with part-time courses running longer than full-time due to the less frequent meeting times. Noble does offer financing and payment plans for certain courses, so be sure to confirm the availability of these things before enrolling.

Noble Desktop offers more than just education, with career support (like resume review, interview prep, or portfolio development) included with almost all their offerings. They also offer setup assistance to help you get started. With name recognition within the programming and web development industries, learning with Noble Desktop can also open up opportunities for professional networking.

Should You Learn Cybersecurity Online or In-Person?

There are many factors to consider when answering this question. Firstly, you’ll need to decide what learning environment is best suited for you. Do you excel in a collaborative environment that allows you to interact with your peers and receive instant feedback from your instructor? Or, do you prefer a more solitary learning environment, perhaps one where you can learn at your own speed?

You’ll also need to decide how much time you can commit to your education and what level of flexibility your schedule requires. Are you looking to dive deeply into an intensive program? Do you work full-time and require your classes to be scheduled for evening and weekend hours?

In-person classes offer face-to-face interaction with your fellow students and your expert instructor. This collaborative environment is available for both full-time and part-time classes and provides structure and accountability, two things that can help you succeed. Online courses may lack this in-person interaction, but they make up for it with increased flexibility. Live virtual courses still offer instant feedback from your instructor and interactions with other students, while on-demand virtual training allows for the most flexibility since you can decide where and when you learn.

The good news is that, no matter which version you attend, you can obtain a quality cybersecurity education with a top-notch curriculum and expert instructors.

What Should I Learn Alongside Cybersecurity?

1-2 paragraphs explaining skills that commonly complement Cybersecurity Bootcamp. This can include things like other Adobe applications for Creative Cloud programs, UX design when discussing UI design, or motion graphics as an obvious next skill to learn after graphic design.

Industries That Use Cybersecurity

The birthplace of the “Star Spangled Banner, ” Baltimore is a city steeped in history yet focused on the future. It’s this unique combination of both past and present that contributes to the thriving local industries, each with a consistently high demand for cybersecurity experts. The top industries are outlined below so you can begin to get an idea for the fields in which you could work as a cybersecurity professional.

Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics

Baltimore County’s strategic location along the East Coast makes it a critical hub for transportation, distribution, and logistics. Regionally, this industry has created 235,538 jobs, $11B in worker income, and 14,000 employers. The numbers are even greater statewide: 462,196 jobs, $22B in worker income, and 33,000 employers. Industry giants like Amazon, Sam’s Club, Walmart, and even the U.S. Postal Service all contribute to the sector’s success.

Education

The Education industry has 5 major colleges and boasts some of Baltimore County’s top employers. More than 760 public and private education organizations employ 24,080 education workers, generating $935M in worker income. According to Niche.com’s 2020 Rankings, Baltimore County’s four-year institutions were ranked among the top 10 colleges in the state, providing both ongoing employment opportunities and a constantly regenerating workforce of highly educated professionals.

Government

Each day over 55,000 government workers report to work in Baltimore County. With easy access to the I-95 corridor, close proximity to Washington D.C., and an abundant skilled and educated workforce, Baltimore County is home to significant federal and local government headquarters.

Healthcare

Located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States, Baltimore is home to leading health systems such as Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland Medical Systems, MedStar Health and LifeBridge Health. The state of Maryland gained 1,600 health care jobs in March 2024, creating a total of 7,400 jobs in that sector since the beginning of this year. Maryland's 2.0% growth rate this year in the healthcare sector ranks second nationwide and is nearly double the national rate. Additionally, Baltimore has a strong tradition of innovation in the medtech field. Covidien, a leading medical device company, was founded in the Baltimore area in 1976.

Cybersecurity Job Titles and Salaries

Cybersecurity professionals exist within almost every industry and can have a variety of job titles. Knowing which titles to search when you’re looking for jobs can be helpful, so below are some of the top positions you’ll see listed on sites like Indeed and LinkedIn.

Security Analyst

A Security Analyst protects an organization's systems, networks, and databases from data breaches and cyberattacks. They can work in many different fields, including business, finance, technology, energy, and governance, and make $98,000 per year in Baltimore.

IT Security Specialist

An IT Security Specialist keeps information secure and manages access to networks and systems. From passwords to identity management,  IT security specialists protect organizations, staff, and customers, by maintaining secure IT environments. You can make around $129,000 in an entry-level IT Security Specialist role in Baltimore.

Security Engineer

A Security Engineer identifies threats and vulnerabilities in systems and software, then applies their skills to developing and implementing high-tech solutions to defend against hacking, malware and ransomware, insider threats and all types of cybercrime. This role boasts a healthy salary, making $120,000 per year.

Computer Forensic Analyst

A Computer Forensic Analyst, also known as a digital forensics analyst, is a professional who examines digital devices and networks to recover and analyze evidence of illegal activity. Computer Forensic Analysts work in a variety of settings, including federal, state, and local government agencies; police departments; in-house departments; academic institutions; and law firms. The average salary for a Computer Forensic Analyst is $84,000-$120,000 per year in Baltimore.

Cybersecurity Classes Near Me

CompTIA CASP+ Prep Course

This live online course (with in-person lab access in select locations) from Certstaffix covers security architecture, security operations, security engineering, cryptography, governance, risk, and compliance. Students will learn all the cybersecurity skills they need to pass the CAS-004 exam, like operations and architecture concepts, techniques, and requirements, risk analysis, mobile and small-form-factor device security, secure cloud integration, and cryptography.

You’ll master Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and the FedRAMP programs, the Cyber Kill Chain framework, MITRE ATT&CK, and Diamond Models, and how to respond to Advanced Persistent Threats (APT) by deploying hunt teams. Students will become adept at deploying advanced cryptographic solutions using the latest FIPS standards and gain a full understanding of compliance requirements for GDPR, PCI, DSS, and COPPA.

Course tuition includes access to software labs, a free six-month retake, and both a certificate and a digital badge that can be added to a resume or LinkedIn upon completion.

Cybersecurity Bootcamp

This course from Noble Desktop covers a wide variety of topics within modern cybersecurity, including Linux and bash scripting,  AWS cloud computing, digital forensics, offensive security, and Python as a security tool. This program also includes one-on-one mentoring sessions and a class dedicated to interview and job prep. Since Noble’s bootcamp is designed to help prepare students for multiple roles within cybersecurity, it is a great choice for beginners who are ready to start from scratch.

Cloud Computing with AWS

Offered by Noble Desktop, this course offers practical knowledge on AWS, the most popular digital platform for cloud computing. Available both online and in-person in New York, this class teaches all the best practices for AWS and how to build and secure an enterprise-level cloud environment, including how to navigate cloud infrastructure, networking, and databases. Composed of 18 hours of hands-on learning, this course involves project-based training from experts in the industry.

There are supplemental materials to assist both during and after the course. Noble also has a one-year free retake policy, which allows students to retake any part of the course or program for free to refresh the materials and gain additional practice. You’ll receive a certificate of completion to verify your accomplishment at the end of the course.

Linux Operating System & Bash Scripting

Held live online or in-person in NYC, this course from Noble Desktop will train you on one of the most popular open-source software: Linux. You’ll learn to master its operating systems, navigate directories, and use major Linux distributions for cybersecurity, including Kali, NodeZero, and BlackArch. This course will also cover topics like how permissions work and how to decipher them; bash scripting; creating, renaming, moving, and deleting directories; and listing, reading, creating, editing, copying, and deleting files.

This course is open to beginners and requires no prior experience with Linux, Bash scripting, or coding. Tuition includes a one-year free retake policy, allowing you to retake any part of the course for free to refresh the materials and gain additional practice. You’ll receive a certificate upon completion of the course that you can add to your resume or LinkedIn.

Cybersecurity Corporate Training

If you’re looking to offer in-person or online training to your office or team, Noble Desktop can help. They offer a variety of corporate training programs, including in cybersecurity. You can order vouchers in bulk at a discount, choose which courses are available to employees, and even let your employees choose their own schedule. Plus, you can choose to have your training hosted at a location of your choosing, live online, or at Noble Desktop’s Manhattan office.

With a top-notch customizable curriculum and instructors who are experts in their industries, Noble Desktop’s corporate training is designed to cater to your business or organization’s needs. For more information or to schedule a free consultation, you can reach out to Noble Desktop at corporate@nobledesktop.com.